This September will mark 5 years since my brother, James, received his double lung transplant at Harefield Hospital. I am running the Robin Hood Half Marathon on September 30th to raise funds for the Harefield Transplant club, which my brother is now a committee member.

James was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 16 months. It is an inherited disease that affects the secretory glands and is a lifelong condition. He had frequent and sometimes long stays in hospital (one year spending 24 weeks as an inpatient) due to other CF related conditions.

Prior to the transplant at the age of 25, the lowest my brother’s lung function dropped to was 19%; It is compared to breathing through a straw. He was on oxygen 24/7, used a ventilating machine that breathed for him, had a feeding tube, and even at times had to be in wheelchair. James was only on the waiting list for 7 weeks, which at the time felt like an eternity.
Due to the lifesaving organ donation and brilliant care he received from everyone at Harefield, he made a quick recovery and was at home 16 days post-transplant operation.

Harefield Hamsters objectives are to provide relief to the people who are on the waiting list as well as those post-transplant, their family and carers. They offer this support through recreational and sporting activities to rehabilitate them and improve their condition of life.

I have seen first-hand the transformation in my brother and the friends he has met as part of this club. I have been proud to watch James compete in the British Transplant Games as well as offer him support in the European Transplant Games as result of the support he gets through the club. The money raised, will enable Harefield Hamsters to continue to give their support to Harefield patients.

Any amount you are able to donate will be very much appreciated.